New Grand National favourite as bookies fear a ‘terrible result’ with cash flying in for Cheltenham Festival hero

A NEW Grand National favourite has been confirmed – with bookies fearing a ‘terrible result' should he do the Cheltenham-Aintree double.

It's all change at the top of the betting for the world's most famous race with William Hill.

And they now have Gold Cup-winning trainer Gavin Cromwell's Cross Country Chase king Stumptown as the 15-2 favourite for the £1million contest.

Stumptown defied top weight to land the helter-skelter Cheltenham Festival race earlier this month, pulling away near the line.

The horse has been rejuvenated since going over banks and the unique Cross Country fences – finding even more in first-time cheekpieces at Cheltenham.

And punters have absolutely no doubt that resurgence will continue over the famous and infamous spruce-style Grand National jumps.

Stumptown has been steadily backed in for the National but the cash has really flowed since his Cheltenham heroics.

And bookies are fearing he could now to do a Tiger Roll – which is win at Cheltenham and back it up at Aintree too.

Spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: “There’s been a move at the very top of the market, with Stumptown now solo favourite at 15-2 from 9-1 for William Hill Ambassador Gavin Cromwell.

“He’s looking to emulate Tiger Roll in winning the National after landing the Cross Country at the Cheltenham Festival, and he’s currently the worst loser in our book.

“We expect him to be a fan favourite after his Cheltenham heroics and him winning would be a terrible result for us next Saturday.”

William Hill, who are non-runner money back on the National, also have four horses as 9-1 second favourites.

That includes long-time market leaders Intense Raffles and Iroko plus Willie Mullins' defending champion I Am Maximus.

But a new name added is Shark Hanlon's Hewick.

The pint-sized hero who cost just £850 and does indeed enjoy a pint of Guinness, has been clipped into 9s.

A former King George winner who ‘stunned the world' with his finishing speed, he should relish the forecast good ground and is unexposed over the marathon trip.

Phelps added: “We reported the move for Hewick in the Grand National earlier in the week, but the money just continues to come for him.

“He had plunged from 25-1 into 12s, but he has been backed again and is now a 9-1 shot to give Shark the biggest win of his career.”

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